Ep 9. Africa's Deadly Dozen
- February 9, 2004
From the savannahs to the dense jungles, Africa is home to some of the deadliest creatures on the planet. In National Geographic Explorer season 1 episode 9, titled "Africa's Deadly Dozen," viewers are taken on a journey through the continent to explore the habits and behavior of Africa's most dangerous animals.
The episode kicks off with a close-up look at the African elephant - the largest land mammal on earth and notorious for its powerful charge when threatened. Next, the focus shifts to the king of the jungle, the African lion. Despite their ferocious reputation, African lions spend most of their day lounging in the sun and only hunt when necessary for survival.
Moving deeper into the heart of Africa, the show then shifts its attention to the Nile crocodile - a fearsome predator that can grow up to 20 feet long and is known to take down large prey such as wildebeest and even humans. Other deadly reptiles such as the black mamba and puff adder are also explored.
From there, the episode takes a look at some of Africa's deadliest insects, such as the tsetse fly - a carrier of the deadly sleeping sickness disease - and the mosquito - which spreads malaria to thousands of people each year.
The episode also delves into the world of primates, showcasing Africa's most vicious species such as the mandrill, one of the largest and most colorful monkeys with razor-sharp fangs, and the baboon - known to be highly aggressive and often carry diseases such as tuberculosis.
Nevertheless, the episode highlights that Africa's deadliest creature is the hippopotamus. Despite its seemingly docile nature, hippos have been known to attack boats and even kill humans that encroach on their territory. With powerful jaws and sharp teeth, hippos are not to be underestimated.
Throughout the episode, experts provide valuable insights into the behaviors of these deadly creatures and how they have adapted to life in Africa's harsh environment. Interviews with locals also offer unique perspectives and experiences with these animals in daily life.
Overall, "Africa's Deadly Dozen" offers a gripping and informative exploration of some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet - as well as their role in Africa's complex ecosystem.
